Apparatus for straightening sheet metal



Sept. 1', 1953 H. D. PAxsON 2,650,637

APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING SHEET METAL Filed Aug. 2, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l Home@ D. PHXMN .fw-TOMMY Sept. 1, 1953 H. D. PAXSON APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING SHEET METAL Filed Aug. 2, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lq N N $5 s t N N @fts u INVENTOR. Home/e D Pnxso/v Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENNG SHEET METAL My invention relates to apparatus for straightening sheet metal and the principal object of my invention is to provide new and improved apparatus of this character.

Particularly in the use of coiled sheet metal, itis often difcult to eiect proper disposition of the starting end of sheet metal with respect to a processing machine, such as a slitter, leveller, rolling apparatus and the like, and frequently such curved starting end was straightened by hand with a sledge. Such practice, it will be appreciated required the time of workmen and therefore was expensive.

My invention provides apparatus which effectively straightens sheet metal and is particularly useful in straightening the starting end of a coil of sheet metal. When used to straighten the starting end of a coil, the apparatus may be left in position after the straightening operation without affecting feed of sheet from the coil, or it may be easily and readily removed to a position away from the coil.

In the drawings accompanying this specication and forming a part of this application, there is shown, for purposes of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view taken through apparatus embodying my invention, parts being shown inv elevation.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view corresponding generally to the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding generally to the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment herein disclosed comprises a supporting frame Il) which may be of any suitable construction. As herein shown, the frame Ill comprises four legs II which are tied together at their top ends by means of longitudinally and transversely extending angles l2 which are preferably welded to the legs II and welded to each other along miter joints I3. The upper flanges of the angles form a supporting surface I4.

Mounted on the supporting surface are two elongated bars I5 and IB which preferably have rounded surfaces directed upwardly for engagement with the under side of a sheet S. For all practical purposes, the bars I5 and I6 may be round in cross-section. Each end of each bar is formed with a counter-bored transverse aperture II for receiving a bolt I8 (see especially Figure 5). Each of the bolts I8 passes through a respective elongated slot I9 formed in the supporting surface I 4, a nut 20 being applied to each bolt I8 for the purpose of holding the bars I5 and I6 in selected adjusted position in a direction toward and away from each other.

Ears 2I may be welded to the supporting surface I4 in position adjoining the ends of the bars I5 and I6, each ear receiving a screw 22 which is adapted to back-up a respective end of a bar. A lock nut 23 may be threaded on each screw 22 for the purpose of holding such screw in adjusted position.

Opposite ends of the frame I Il are provided with spaced-apart gibs 24 which provide guides for slide means 25. The slide means comprises a pair of upright members 26, each slidably arranged within gibs 24 at respective ends of the frame I0. The upper ends of the members 26 are tied together by a transversely extending bar 2'I which, as herein shown, has opposite ends Welded to respective members 26. The bar 2'I preferably has a rounded surface directed downwardly for engagement withthe upper side of the sheet S. For all practical purposes, the bar 2l may be of round cross-section as shown. A web 28 is connected, preferably by welding, to the upper surface of the bar 2'I and to the adjoining surfaces of the members 26 to strengthen the slide means at the upper end. An apertured tab 29 may be provided at the midpoint of the web 28 for the purpose of providing ready engagement with the hook of a hoisting mechanism.

The lower ends of the legs II of the frame I0 are tied together by angles 3B, and intermediate the angles I2 and 30 a space 3| is provided whereby the lower ends of the members 26 may Vbe tied together so that the slide means may be moved upward or downward in the gibs 24 without having interfering engagement with the frame I 0.

As herein shown, a box-like fabricated structure 32 is employed to tie together the lower ends of the members 26, such structure including a pair of spaced-apart channels 33 (see Figure 3). The fabricated structure 32 has removable connection with respective members 26, such connection being herein shown as accomplished by means of dowel-like keys 34 and cap screws 34a.

Inwardly directed angles 35 (see Figure 3) are welded to respective channels 33, such angles forming a ledge support for a cross-rod 36. U-bolts 31 encircle the ends of the rod 36 and are secured to the angles 35 by nuts 38. A block 39 is welded to the upper surface of the rod 36 and screw-threadedly receives the end of a piston rod 40 which works out of a cylinder 4I. The cylinder is carried by a plate 42 which is secured to a bracket 43 supported from the frame I0.

As fluid under pressure is admitted to the cylinder 4I to force the piston rod 40 outwardly, the slide means 25 is moved in a downward direction so that the bar 21 approaches the bars I5 and I6. When the piston rod 40 is moved in the opposite direction, the bar 21 will be moved away from the bars I and I6. Y Y l In use, my improved apparatus may easiiy be moved in the line of feed of the sheet S by means of a hoisting mechanism engaged with the apertured tab 2S. 4I to move the bar 21 upwardly and away from the bars I5 and I6 to provide a gap through which the start of the sheet may be threaded and disposed as shown in Figure 3.

Fluid is then admitted to the cylinder to force the slide means 25 downwardly. Such action 'causes the bar 21 to move downwardly and between the bars I5 and I6, downward movement being 'suiiicient to flex the portion of the sheet between the bars I5 and I6 to effect a straightening condition in such portion of the sheet. If necessary, the bar 21 may be brought down on successive portions of the sheet in the event the first downward operation of the bar 21 does not provide suflicient straightening. 1n the event that side 'strains are produced by an unevenness of the sheet, or for any other reason, the boxlike fabricated structure 32 may rock slightly about the cross-rod 36 so that such strains are not transmitted to the piston and cylinder surfaces.

The supporting surface I4, at each end of the frame l0, 'carries an adjusting screw 45 backed upon either side of the surface by lock nuts V46. The screws 45 are engaged by the opposite ends of the bar 21 to limit downward movement of this bar. Thus, the screws 45 may be adjusted so as to predetermine the amount of iiexing vof the sheet on each downward stroke of the bar 21. Further, the bars I5 and I6 may be adjusted toward and away 'from each other to selectively vary the length of the sheet portion to be flexed. After straightening of the sheet has been accomplished, 'the bar 21 may be moved to its upward position to provide sufficient gap for the sheet to be fed therethrough during subsequent processing operation. "However, if it is desired to remove the apparatus from the line of feed, this may easily kbe accomplished Yby hoisting the apparatus to a position away from the line of feed.

In view of the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment herein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and had advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiment is illustrative only, and that my invention is not llimited thereto.

I claim:

-1. Apparatus for straightening sheet metal, comprising: a frame having an upper supporting surface; a -pair of elongated bars Vcarried by said Fluid is admitted to the ycylinder i supporting surface, said bars being in spacedapart relation and providing spaced-apart surfaces engageable with the under side of the sheet; upright gibs of substantial length and carried by opposite ends of said frame; slide means, comprising portions having slide fit with said gibs at respective ends of said frame and portions extending upwardly beyond said supporting surface; another elongated bar secured to and in position between said upwardly extending portions and being movable through connection with said slide means between said spaced-apart bars in a direction toward and away from said spacedapart bars, said other elongated bar being engageable with the upper side of said sheet and being movable in a direction toward said spacedapart bars an amount suflicient to flex the sheet; fluid cylinder means, comprising a cylinder secured to said frame and a piston rod; and means providing for rockable connection between said piston rod and said -slide means.

2. Apparatus for 'straightening sheet metal, comprising: a frame -having an upper supporting surface; a pair of elongated bars carried by -said supporting surface, said bars being in spacedapart relation and providing spaced-apart surfaces -engageable with the under side of the sheet; upright gibs of substantial length and carried by opposite ends of said frame; slide means, comprising portions having slide lit with said gibs at respective ends of said frame and portions extending upwardly beyond said supporting surface; another elongated bar -secured to and in position between said upwardly extending portions and being movable through connection with said slide means between said spaced-apart bars in a direction toward and away from said spacedapart bars, said other elongated bar being engageable with the upper side of said sheet and being movable in ya direction toward said spacedapart bars an amount sufficient to iiex the sheet; stop means for limiting movement `of said other elongated bar in a direction toward said spacedapart bars, said stop means comprising a plurality of `screw-studs directly engageable with opposite end portions of said other elongated bar; means providing for adjustment of said spacedapart lbars in a direction toward and away .from each other; fluid cylinder means, comprising a cylinder secured to Isaid frame and a piston rod; and means providing for rockable connection between said piston rod and vsaid -slde means.

3. -A metal working machine comprising a frame-like structure fabricated from metal shapes and comprising supporting legs and upper and lower members connecting said legs to form a main 'frame having opposed sides, each side having 4an opening ldefined by adjoining legs and adjoining upper and lower members, aligned upright gibs extending outwardly 'of each of said sides, said gibs traversing the opening at respective sides of said frame and being secured to respective upper and lower members to increase stability of .said frame, a pair of elongated members carried by said frame and extending from an upper surface thereof and being positioned on opposite sides of the alignment of said gibs, and a sub-frame movable relative to said main frame and 'comprising spaced slide bars, each slidably received 'within respective gibs and extending upwardly beyond said elongated .members, a cross member extending between .and se- Cured t0 upper ends of said slide bars, a tie mem* 5 ber extending through the openings in the op- References Cited in the le of this patent posed sides of 'said frame and connecting said UNITED STATES PATENTS slide bars at points spaced from sald cross member whereby said Sub-frame reenforces said main Number Name Date frame, yet is movable relative thereto, and means 5 209,747 Belt NOV- 12, 1873 for moving said sub-frame whereby said cross 656,966 Gegory Aug- 28, 1900 member may be moved toward and away from 1,559,454 Prltne et al Oct 27, 1925 the space between said elongated members for 2,082,653 Rawson June 1, 1937 operation on a Work-piece supported on the 2,133,477 Schade Oct- 18, 19:?3 latten 2,439,015 McClelland Apr. 6, 1948 HOMER DOUGHERTY PAXSON 2,481,862 IVIllllel et al Sept. 13, 1949 

